Breezy Bird

 YOU FOUND IT!!! BONUS FUN BLOG HOP SCAVENGER HUNT!

 I have many favorites sets.  However, I chose this set because it is so versatile.  You can make something fun and cute or fancy and elegant.  Below is a card I made just this month using the bird.  I don't  care for birds IRL, but I love this bird.  It's just so pretty! 

Now don't forget to leave a comment stating that you found my favorite stamp set.  Also, to qualify for my additional giveaway you need to email Priscilla and get her address so that you can send her your completed challenge cards.  All cards will be donated to the cancer patients at The Toledo Clinic.  Please include a new, non sealed , non addressed envelope with each card.  You may sign you name if you wish.

 I forgot to add Priscilla's email.....  misscill@yahoo.com

Now head on over to DEE'S blog for more hunting:)

Just a quick post today. I feel like each morning when I get up the shotgun fires and we're OFF!

Another busy day with errands for home and for the school. I'm "Popcorn Lady" again tomorrow. I guess there are worse things the kids could call me.

I made a card today that uses Beate's Weekend sketch again. I made this for the Verve Project Parade. I haven't participated in any Verve challenges in sooo long. I love Verve stamps! They are the first set of acrylics I ever tried. Julee has the most elegant images and beautiful quotes. You should play along. There is a chance to win some VERVE BUCKS!

My card also using the Faux Suede technique featured on Monday's Splitcoast Technique challenge. Admittedly, the little bit of the techinique that I used was not my original thought. That never worked out. (That seems to be the case as of late) So I used what was left of my "suede" paper to make the little twig that the bird is standing on. This card has an over abundance of pearls. I lost several of them trying to pick them up and put them on. I almost lost an eye in the process. Who says stamping isn't dangerous? The other thing that I love about this card is that I used THREE different stamp companies. I think it is so wonderful how they all "worked together" to complete this card.

Hope you have a fun day!

Only 8 more days left to participate in the BLOG CANDY FOR A CAUSE, as well as, the MAKE A CHILD SMILE CHALLENGE.

What's In It?
Stamps: Always, Celebrate Today (MCS), Beautiful You (verve)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Choc Chip, versamark, soft sky
Paper: vellum cardstock, retired DP, soft sky, white, choc chip
Other: Pearls by Recollections, scalloped circle nestie, various flowers, iridescent ice, paper piercer, sponge

Good Books!

There is nothing like getting lost in a good book. I haven't had a chance to read much lately and I honestly miss it. I find that I can't read and craft at the same time. Both are all consuming for me. I have to do one or the other. Right now my MOJO is somewhat absent so I should just read.

I worked the book fair last night and my kids got the cards I made for them. Inside was a ticket worth $10 towards books. It doesn't matter what amount I offer to them because they always dig into their piggy banks to get more books. I am extremely happy this year because my son has finally found a joy in reading. He has always struggled. I have to give credit to a series of books by Dan Gutman called My Weird School Series. These books are easy to read and FULL of kid humor. My son begs to be able to read one more chapter and has asked me to wake him up early in the morning so he can read. THAT is a first! So if you know a child, especially a boy, that isn't into reading, offer these books. I bet they will make reading a little more exciting.

My card today is the one I made for my son. I am not that thrilled with this guy's hair. I can't wait for my Copics class! I used the sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You. Each week I lurk at their website hoping to participate and never get the chance. Do you lurk at blogs and websites too? I am trying to be better about leaving comments and participating in things. I think I "lurked" on Splitcoast for about 2 years before I ever posted anything I made:) Anyways, this is a fun sketch and I hope to play with it again.

I used the I Heart Books set again from My Favorite Things. I am in love with the little "bookworm" image. This also uses some paper from The Digichick called Our Story. Those stars were an afterthought. I had embossed them with my cuttlebug and then found that the star punch I have by Jolee fit perfectly to punch them out.

I just wanted to show the very plain inside because of the pocket. I used more Digichick paper called CLICK to create the envelope that held the little ticket. On the left I had temporarily adhered the bookmark I made. It is not pictured because it is being USED:)

What's In It?
Stamps: I Heart Books (MFT), Retro Backgrounds (PTI)
Ink: memento Black, versamark, Time Holtz Distress Vintage Photo
Paper: Pure Poppy(PTI), Click and Our Story (Digichick), white, cream
Other: Twill, vintage brads, stars EF, cuttlebug, Jolee star punch, Copics


I'm off to head to the school again. It is Grandparents week and I have to go in and monitor the classroom while the grandparents and kids eat lunch in there. I'm not sure why exactly. I guess in case the grandparents get too wild and decide to tie the children up with their pantyhose and hang them from the ceiling (sarcasm). Then I'm off to crank out letters for the homecoming float and tonight we are finishing up the decorations on the float. No, my child is not in high school. He's only in 3rd grade. I told you- Football is HUGE here. I will have a card for tomorrow because it is almost done. The rest of the week isn't looking so promising.

I'm off to find my brass knuckles...grandparents can be a tough bunch *wink*

It's Hip to be Square

Happy Soggy Morning!

It's your typical wet day here in Southern Ohio. A great day to stay inside and craft. I used to say "read," but not since stamping has taken over my life:) I made a very quick card last night for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge 100!


I really liked this card until I decided at the last minute to outline the "OCT" in Choc Chip ink. AHHH! I hate when I ruin a card by adding "one more thing." I didn't have time to start over. This is a shaker card and I haven't done one in FOREVER. It's always so fun to go back and revisit old techniques. My step mom's birthday in coming up. I'm embarrassed to say that I have never made her a card before. Shame on me! I'm trying to be a better person and I know with all that she is dealing with this card will make her extremely happy. I can bet that the next time I go visit it will proudly be displayed in the kitchen. Just knowing how much it will mean to her that I remembered her birthday makes me feel good.

I used some Jenni Bowlin paper again. This time I paired it with the coordinating chipboard buttons. I also used ANOTHER stamp from my Unity KOTM. I circled her birthday in red and the inside says, " Celebrate! It's Your Day!"

October 16th is an important date for another reason. It is the last day to be entered into my drawing for blog candy. Make sure you check that out HERE. I still have a very long way to go in my goal for raising money for Priscilla. So if you haven't donated yet, please take a few minutes to do so. $5 is all it takes to be entered into the blog candy giveaway. Just think....that's less than a trip to Starbucks, eating out for lunch, a stop at a gas station for a pop and a snack or a pack of cigarettes. For less than a small treat for yourself you could be helping someone to pay for medical bills. I hope to spread the word today to get closer to my goal. All your help is very appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!
What's In It?
Stamps: Aug KOTM Unity
Ink: Choc Chip, Summer Sun craft
Paper: Jenni Bowlin, white, Pure Poppy (PTI)
Other: clear acetate, seed beads, red marker, Janome Sew Mini, JB chipboard button, TPS button, chocolate taffetta

An Irish Hello!

I don't have any cards to show today, but hope to be able to play in the basement later. I do want to share some pictures of our weekend though. We had a fabulous time on our surprise road trip. We picked the kids up from school and told them we were taking them someplace.

Our first stop... the BANK! Hee Hee...Surprise! That got big groans.

Stop 2....Pizza Hut. Whoo Hoo! We had a fun dinner together.

They thought that was it. A trip to Pizza Hut. We continued to drive and told them to go to sleep after about the 10th time of them asking where we were going. By the time we got to....

Stop 3 Grandpa's House ( 4 hours away) they were NOT happy campers. Happy to be at Poppa's, but NOT happy that we were in the car that long.

The next day we told them we had ONE MORE surprise. So we hopped back in the car. This did not make them very happy. They had guessed where we might be going, but we tried to trick them. So when we got to....

Stop 4 Southbend, Indiana......Home of NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL, my daughter was mad that we lied to her:( NOT the reaction we expected. Still we had a Blast.

Here are a few pictures of our trip:

The TICKETS!!!

On our way to campus we HAD to stop in front of the Notre Dame Fire Truck.

This is the administrative building, also known as, "The Golden Dome."

There are several things that I learned about Notre Dame and some of the special events that happen on "game day." The first, being that ALL the football players attend mass before the game. They all walk together in their dress suits.

We were able to walk through the Basillica or church before their mass began. It was so BEAUTIFUL. My picture could never do it justice. The second thing I learned is that after their mass is finished, they again walk together to the stadium. Fans line the path to watch them. A couple in front of us was kind enough to let our kids stand in front of them. My son was so excited to get to slap the hands of some of the players. It was too crowded to get a good picture of that.

Next we went to watch the band warm up.


This wasn't a top priority for my son. But once the band started to play he was caught up in the beauty of it too. He actually started dancing to the music.


My other family...just as enthralled by it all.

The game started out beautiful. The sun was shining. We had AMAZING seats. 29 rows up behind the Notre Dame goal post.

The band played.


The crazy Lephrechan Mascot cheered

The kids loved participating in the chants and spirit of the fans. The first half was a blast. During half time a storm came in and it poured. We got soaked. It continued to mist/rain for the entire second half. It didn't matter though because it was such a close game that spirits were high and enthusiasm was intense. The game ended with us winning and the last play was pretty wild. It was right in front of us. The receiver got hit so hard his helmet flew right off his head. He ended up with a concussion.

The whole game was full of excitement despite the cruddy weather.
Our kids both said it was an AWESOME day. They forgave us for lying to them:)


There are 2 things in this world that make my husband happy (other than family):

1. Notre Dame Football

2. Hunting Season. Which is 6 weeks away.

I have a funny story to share about hunting. A few weeks ago my husband finally bought some new hunting gear. He has been wearing the same stuff for about 14 years. He got everything out and tried it on. With a big grin he looks at me and says, "So, what do you think?" He is so excited. I just paused and thought, " Is this a trick question?" I mean there is NOTHING attractive about deer hunting camouflage. It isn't like army camo. It has big tree limbs with ugly leaves all over it. I imagine this is how a man feels when a woman asks if a certain dress makes her look fat. That's how I felt....put on the spot. So, as honestly as I could I said, "Honey, THAT is about as attractive and sexy as hunting camouflage gets."

Phew! That seemed to make him happy as he walked away shaking his behind at me:)

Hope to be back here tomorrow with a card. My little guy is sick today so I hope I can stamp some while he hangs out on the couch. I put football on the TV...that should occupy him for a few hours:)

Have a good one!

Little Book Worm

Hope you are all having a great Sunday. Today's challenge at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge is to make something with a pull out of some sort.

I decided to make a card for my daughter ( I'll be making one for my son too:).

This card using some new paper by The Digichick called Carnival Ride. I also used a stamp set from My Favorite Things. BOTH of these companies donated to my blog candy for Priscilla and they are 2 companies that I personally love to buy from.
When I saw the set called I Heart Books I knew I had to get it. My daughter is a huge "reader." She would rather read than do anything else in life. Her big date with me the other day included heading to Barnes and Noble. She just sat and touched and smelled the books.... I'm serious. So I made this card for her and the "pull out" is a bookmark.

I also have another "pull out" on the inside, but my picture didn't turn out. The inside has a little pocket envelope with money inside. I am giving this to her next week for the school's Book Fair. We don't usually buy books because we go to the library. However, we always buy from the book fair. Such a worthy cause.

Speaking of worthy causes.... have you donated to Priscilla's Medical Fund? For only a $5 donation you can have a chance to win some really big blog candy. Read about it HERE.

Please make sure you check out the design team and all the fabulous creations. We have some new team members. Head on over and welcome them.

Our Sponsor this week is Emma from Stampin Up. Play along to win a great prize.

Oia! So busy!

Hi All!

I just wanted to touch base and let you know that I won't have anything to share until Sunday. I watched a sick little one yesterday and popped popcorn at the school today. We are leaving in 10 minutes to go pick our kids up from school for a SURPRISE ROAD TRIP! They have NO idea! So fun. I'll share all the details when I get back. Enjoy your weekend. Don't forget that Saturday is World Card Making Day. There is so much going on around the blogging world. Have fun with it. I'll be having a fun time with my family instead. I had hoped to have a card to post for Saturday, but sometimes life has other plans. See you on Sunday!

Several challenges Accomplished

Morning All! Sorry it's been so quiet on the blog. It's been a hectic week here and the weekend and next week aren't looking much better. I did get to participate in a few challenges with this single card. The Raspberry Suite 17 and Cards magazine blog is having a challenge to use a flower.


I used some Jenni Bowlin papers from Paper Maniac LLC. These papers are so adorable. They come in 4x4 sheets so they are the perfect size for card makers. You can also get matching chipboard buttons. I didn't use those this time around, but plan to soon. That giant "U" was a chipboard piece that I got at Target. I just traced the shape onto Choc chip cardstock and cut out. I then layered in with a thick coating of Crystal Effects and LEFT THE ROOM so I would NOT screw it up while it dried:) That thing has tiny bubble in it and it looks just like a Slow Poke. Do you remember that candy? I'm telling you, it makes me want to just suck on it:) So yummy looking IRL. I also colored my "4" with Copics and then put stickles on top for some sparkle. I still have quite a bit of that yummy chocolate ric rac. I love that stuff!

I hope you all have a great day. I'm heading to the basement to work on more projects while the little one sleeps:) Have a great Thursday!

What's In It?
Stamps...none!
Ink...none!
Paper: Choc Chip, Jenni Bowlin Front Porch , Kraft, White
Other: chipboard letters and numbers, American Crafts ribbon, ric rac from Joann's, buttons, burlap string, cuttlebug flower die, Janome sew mini, crystal effects. Copics